Eyes Don't Lie

chapter 9

The moment wafiyah and Yuna walked in mingyu bombarded them with questions. She assured that there was nothing wrong and just had to deal with an emergency. He was still not convinced and had a scowl on his face which he planned on keeping for the rest of the day. He could be really stubborn wafiyah observed so she sighs knowing well it would be quite a task to persuade him. She goes to her cabin to start her work first of all she prepares a cup of coffee and took it to jungkook's office, peeking in to make sure he's on his seat before greeting "good morning Sir" and then put the cup in front of him. Jungkook was relieved that she was normal and nothing was different in her behavior "wafiyah can we talk for a moment" she saw it coming but  also knew it can't be ignored. She takes a seat keeping her gaze lowered until jungkook start talking "Did I do something wrong, have I done something to upset you?" She looks at him "No sir you haven't done anything wrong, I'm not upset nor mad " he moves his chair a bit forward "then why did you leave like that and avoided me rest of the time?" Her shoulders slumped how was she going to tell him he might not understand "Sir actually I felt ashamed and guilty" she clears her throat, jungkook notices that and forward the glass of water towards her. She turned her head and takes a sip under the veil, she thanked him before continuing "a Muslim should not touch or be touched by opposite gender, it's a sin and displeasure of Allah and that's the last thing I want to do Sir. You might think I overreacted but for me it's not something small. I apologize sincerely if my behavior might have offended you" now his doubts were clear "but it was an accident, still?" She shakes head " that's the beauty of Islam Sir, neither was that counted as a sin nor was Allah displeased, he knows it was mistake" "Then why did you regret it?" That was a question she didn't know how to answer she lowered her gaze again and then it hit him the realization started to pour in "Were you always like that?" It reminds her of her past all stupidites and ignorance, smiling sadly " we all have our worst phase, I've been through it and i won't say I'm in the best form but Islam is all about making improvements and Alhamdulliah my life is better than before" He nods understandingly "I never thought there's anything that could allure me so easy but you proved me wrong" his gaze was penetrating yet there was hinge of amusement in them making it difficult for her to hold contact, her mind was trying to process his words but a knock on door took her out of her train of thoughts. The intrusion was very unpleasant to Jungkook but let the person in only for it to be Mingyu. He raises his eyebrow when he find wafiyah there, his already spoiled mood futher bittered. Jungkook had to grab his attention because he kept looking at her with questioning eyes "Mr Kim what brings you here?" He still stare down at her before turning his attention to jungkook "Mr seojoon asked to hand you these vouchers so you can check for error and sign them before they start working on it" he extends his hand to give him file and gets back at frowning at her "OK I'll go through it" "Sir I'll go and fetch your today's schedule" jungkook nods and she leave, mingyu also bows and follow her out "what were you doing there?" She looked at him puzzled " giving him his morning coffee" she says and walk to her seat "you don't have to sit to give him coffee or were you making sure he finishes it" he was being petty but he couldn't help it his jealousy was getting best of him "he wanted to talk mingyu about a matter that's why I stayed for a moment afterwards" she tells him because what's there to hide even though she didn't owe him explanation, mingyu has done alot for her so he has this much right she thinks "don't stay with him more than necessary" "mingyu what's wrong with you please stop being like that" he squares his shoulders and puts his hand in his pant pockets "i will when you stop being around him" "Allah Allah" she throws pen at him "do you hear yourself " she squints her eyes in anger "you're entrusted to me I am obliged to do so" "oh okay then I'll be calling you oppa because I'm obliged to call you my brother" she cringes at the word, her expressions morphed into that of disgust and it doesn't go unnoticed by him "you don't like this word do you?" He laughs at newfound information "leave me alone" she snarls which erupts another laugh "hail to the king sejong" this time he laughed more loudly and walked out. She takes the schedule to jungkook telling him about his meeting with Min Byung hun in the afternoon and another one with his team which was scheduled at 11:00 "do you need me or shall I leave" "Stay seated and do whatever you do" it confused her "I need computer to work easily" he  halted his typing "that's why miss wafiyah you need to get out of your comfort zone to face the real challenge" she nods unsurely and walked to couch and started working on the tab "I've seen Muslim women in short dress here" he says out of nowhere " yeah human tend to be disobedient and rebellious sometimes that's our nature" "why is it bad to touch opposite gender there's no harm ?" He further inquired "What's the most precious thing you have?" She asks instead, he thinks for a moment  "okay let me make it easy for you, would you let any man or individual have access to the thing you like the most and is precious to you?" He shakes his head No "I'd never let them get close to it" he says honestly "women are so precious and valuable in Islam, access to them is limited only the right one get to have the honor of being able to see and cherish them" he nodded his head and out of nowhere he uttered "you'll be going with me to the meeting with Byung hun" which was unexpected "what will I do there?" She asks innocently "be with me" He gets up to leave the office for meeting with his team "what should I do now?" He stops near her, looking at her from up close was one of his favorite things to do "wanna join me?" He asks staring into her bewildered and timid eyes "come on let's go" he announces, she took her tab with her and followed him not knowing what's the purpose of taking her but doesn't complain because she doesn't have choice. They both walk into elevator " Sir guide me to what do I need to focus on, I've to make report of all activities and experiences here" the elevator opens and a group of laborers with orange safety helmet and matching jackets entered, her anxiety increased as she was only female among all men. She corners her self as much as possible to avoid contact and instantly started reciting dhikr jungkook sensed her distress and looked at her, his eyes widened. more people poured in when lift stopped at next floor. The space around her almost faded she knew there's no way out now so she does the unpredictable thing, looking straight into jungkook eyes "Jungkook please" she didn't say anything else because she knew he'd understand  meanwhile he turned into someone else as if something switched inside him he caged her in the corner keeping his hands at safe distance "stop the God damn elevator" he growls, one of employees pressed the button and everyone looked shocked at him "get out all of you" his voice boomed and they didn't need to be told twice before started evacuating. He stays in same position until he made sure there was no one left, her head was lowered and eyes were closed so he goes and shut the doors again and press the desired floor "Hey, relax now no one's here it's just me" "Sir I'm so sorry" she apologies in low voice and then raises head, her lashes were wet and jungkook had the urge to wipe them. "I signed up for all of this yet I can't put up with a group men" she wipes her eyes with her fists making her childlike endearing "I'll keep troubling people around me to protect me because I don't have enough courage" she was blabbing out at this point "If protecting you is troublesome then I want to be troubled, I want to face all the nuisance and problems that comes with keeping you safe" he forced making her stare dumbly at him. Jungkook bites his tongue maybe he said more than he should've, what would she think about him or worst avoid him the ding of elevator tells that they should leave and jungkook is thankful for that. The walk toward the conference room in silent, his team had already been waiting for him. Miss Jun perked up as she saw wafiyah there and stood up to give her a hug "Hello, genius you've no idea how much I miss you" she swings her side to side "how are you Miss jun" "I'm great sweetie" she smiles. Everyone got back on their positions and wafiyah also took seat beside miss Jun "Let's start" there were about 6 people mostly department managers, they brief jungkook about their progress and companies overall performance over past six months and also discussed the statistical analysis and implications of coming project. Wafiyah silently observed each opinion keeping close track to the figures and percentage, she noted them down in her tab. Jungkook would occasionally peek at her but she didn't pay any mind, her focus was completely on the meeting. the stylus would pause whenever she didn't understand or disagree with someone's conception. Miss Jun was looking at Wafiyah's inscription and when she noticed her pen stop, without disturbing she grabbed the stylus from her and scribbled on the screen then wafiyah understood the mistake she made which was messing her ideas. "Keep doing your best and I want better results and improved performance we need to up our game if we doesn't want to lose our prestige and trust that many people have put in us" jungkook says while concluding the meeting, they all nod and utter 'OK Mr. Jeon' in unison "wafiyah" Jun jihyun says which points everyone attention toward her, she sits back mid way "yes" it came out like whisper "I want you to make a report of conclusions and illations of all past annual reports including the one you noted today as soon as possible and we'll arrange meeting again where you'll present it, is that okay?" There it went again her heart bursting in its cage, she rakes her eyes on everyone biting her lips nervously. Jihyun further adds "guys ya'll need to see the comprehensiveness and objectivity of her synopsis and sketches of all annual reports" "We would love to see your work miss wafiyah" says Mr. Park. She forces a smile and nods "sure sir". The meeting end with that and she had to prepare by Monday so she had the weekend to herself. "Miss wafiyah come to my office " jungkook says when she was about to go to the cabin, maybe she has to spend whole day there she thinks but comply nonetheless "yes sir?" "I will keep you in spotlight, you will do presentations and active participation in every meeting you'll be with me even if Miss Choi joins again, this will encourage and propel you to become better in dealing with uncomfortable situations" "maybe I'll get better with passage of time" she says "we don't have much time Miss wafiyah and I said what I said no more debate on this matter" he says with finality "OK sir, shall I leave?" Jungkook nods and attend his phone which rang showing his friend's name " Hey jimin" after ignoring his friends for God knows how long he has to get ready to face them and he thinks he can meet them. despite his lack of trust jimin didn't call him out, his friends are too nice of humans that he think he might not deserve them. Upon agreeing they decided to meet on weekend at their usual bar.
During her lunch break wafiyah read surah kahf (the cave) from Quran as it's highly recommended and of immense significance to read this chapter on Fridays. Mingyu kept looking at her with his elbows proped on table and his face cupped between the palms of both hand, it made him look younger than his age. She turned another page of her Quran completely consumed   as she read line after line word after word. She closes the Quran after finishing the chapter then she raised her hands to read a few supplications before blowing and wiping them on her face and as she noticed mingyu being goofy, she blows onto him and then on Yuna who send flying kiss toward her. " What did you pray for me?" he takes a bite from her food " to see you in jannah" "what's that?" He inquired "In Arabic paradise or heaven is called jannah" she answers " will we be together there?" Her hand pauses as she was taking another bite "jannah will be so vast and huge, we can ask Allah if we wanna meet" she says "No not just meet, like be together " "well depends" "will I be able to see you there ?" He looked so innocent eyes twinkling with excitement as he inquires "yes there will be no restrictions no prohibitions its just for this temporary world" he continued to ask questions like that and would get more restless and excited she would laugh at him it was good to talk about jannah and explain her beliefs to them. "I forgot to tell you guys Mr jeon said that I'll be accompanying him to the meeting  today I don't know if we will be back by 7 or not in that case Yuna don't worry about Me okay I'll grab a taxi" she informs them. "Why? this isn't what we're here for, he is making you do things that you're  not supposed to be doing " she knew mingyu would complain "it's mostly to encourage me to face challenging and uncomfortable situations and be more like practical and professional not timid and apprehensive " she explained "He shouldn't care about that, it's not his concern" his frown was growing more and more as if he had doubts about jungkook and his intentions. It didn't sit well with him as to why was he getting so involved in her when the only concern he was supposed to have was to get them to see how companies work and make report, get a good grade and pass the subject that's it. "I can't question him mingyu" "but I can" he snarls, her eyes widened "shut up mingyu if you got yourself in trouble again I'll be very angry I'm telling you, don't try to mess your life we don't know what he is capable of doing I want you to take it easy it's not a big deal" she says strictly " it's a big deal for me" "why though it's just a task" "I don't trust him around you" he says but this time softly "is he a bad guy have you heard something wrong about him?" She asks gently trying to understand his perspective of jungkook. Mingyu stays quiet for some time "No I haven't" relief fills her "then don't worry okay he won't harm me inshaAllah" as if it would make his concern go away, she was oblivious he knew jungkook won't harm her he was scared he might hurt him, his heart to be precise and the damage might be beyond repair "it's Friday prayer time I should get going" she was making move but stops when mingyu doesn't say anything "mingyu" she lilts "I don't like this please don't be like that" he still doesn't respond "please aren't you my best brother" she says "oppa" she continues until he utters something "please bhai(bro)" she switched to her language "calling me your brother in all languages won't make me one"  he says with a sinister smile "finally you unlocked you mouth only to spurr inanity" this time she gets up and walk to elevator with him following behind chuckling "where are you going?" She asks as she pressed the button "to drop you safely to your seat" "you don't have to bother yourself " he hums but doesn't move so she just let him be because he was the most stubborn person she has ever come across. When the doors open, she step out and thank him before waving goodbye. She waits until it closes back and turn to go and pray but saw jungkook standing beside her cabin "we have to get to meeting and you're here wasting time" he says with a poker face she checks time and there were still 10 minutes left until break overs but she didn't have courage to say that to him so keeps quiet " come on make haste" he barks. She walked quickly toward the cabin and disappear behind it.  She performed ablution and did her zuhr Salah with focus and devotion saying each phrase with humbleness and heartily following her prayer she did dhikr and suplicated for loved ones and friends not forgetting to make dua for their hidayah (guidance) and for her faith to strengthen and increase manifolds. She put her prayer mat, Quran and phone in her bag and gather all important things she need to attend the meeting right then the telephone rang "yes sir?" "We're leaving in 5" he hangs up after informing her "Ya Allah be with me I'm scared but I won't let anyone know that except you" with that she closes the door of cabin behind her and walk to the lion's den.